Page 29 of Escaping Pirates
“They’ll need to make repairs soon, especially if we make it through this kraken attack.” Harlan fell silent, listening to the crew above. “It sounds like they’ve either driven it off or killed it.”
It was true. The men above were cheering, and that could only mean victory. For several long minutes, we listened to the whoops and let our bodies relax in the aftermath of the battle.
“Do you think Tyrone left yet?” I whispered. “I didn’t see his ship go past.”
His fingers flexed over mine. “I hope he got eaten by the kraken.”
I laughed softly. “I wouldn’t mind that either.”
“So, once we get to port—” Harlan broke off, attention riveted on the door. “Someone’s coming.”
I pulled my hand out from under Harlan’s and lay down on the bunk, eyes closed to feign sleep. Nearby, I heard Harlan curl up on his bunk, too.
Tyrone’s oily voice slipped through the night as the door creaked open. “Let her know it was a gift from me.”
“You’re much too generous, brother,” Harsh told him. “She’s just a servant.”
“Every woman loves a generous man. Here, unlock the cell so I can give it to her.”
Next to me, Harlan sat up to watch Tyrone enter my cell, but I stayed frozen in place, face away from the walkway and praying I wouldn’t be touched. A heavy quilt was laid over me, and my head was gently lifted then set back down onto a pillow. Against my will, my body relaxed at the additional warmth.
Would Tyrone know I was faking sleep? Ought I sit up and refuse his gift or should I thank him? Harlan didn’t say anything as Tyrone left and the metallic grinding of the cell door closing sounded.
“We’ll meet up in another week or so. My offer still stands for the girl, you know,” Tyrone said as his and Harsh’s footsteps retreated. “If you ever want to sell her to me.”
“My girls still want to keep her around for the time being,” Harsh answered, opening the brig door. “But I’ll keep it in mind once they tire of her.”
The door snapped shut.
After a few moments to ensure that they were gone, Harlan whispered, “Elena?”
I lifted my head from the comfort of the pillow. “That was unexpected.”
Harlan let out a slight grunt. “Not really.” He added something else, but so quietly that I couldn’t understand. He raised his voice back to a whisper. “Are you at least warmer now?”
“Yes, I am.” I ran my hand over the quilt. “Want me to push half through to you?” If I did, the fabric would bunch up and wouldn’t work well, but I couldn’t resist offering. I had so little to share with Harlan and wanted to do something.
“Absolutely not. In fact, I’d be offended if you tried. As much as I hate that man, I want you to be warm.”
“You’re very gallant. I’m just glad he dropped it and left.”
“Me too,” Harlan said. “I was ready to reach through the bars and strangle him if he tried anything else.”
“I’ve never been so moved by threats of murder before. If anything were to happen and you needed to come in here to kill Tyrone, this bar is loose.” I touched it, hoping he could see in the deepening darkness.
He must have been able to, because with an almighty wrench, he yanked the bar over in one swift movement.
“It took me a lot longer than that to move it,” I told him, wondering how strong Harlan was to be able to move it so easily.
“You must have loosened it for me.” Harlan crouched down and felt near the base where the gap was the widest. “And there is no way I could ever fit through here. Maybe if I were twelve years old.”
“It was tight for me,” I admitted. “But what good is it for our manors to have adjoining courtyards if we don’t have a secret tunnel to connect them?”
“You are welcome to visit my vast estate anytime, butmake sure to avoid trampling any flowers.” Harlan pointed at the limp straw. “My gardener would have a fit.”
I smiled. “Such a generous offer! I’m delighted to have our manor houses so close together. I’ve long admired your estate, but if I might be so bold, it would look much better with an indoor waterfall feature like mine.” I nodded at the leak in the ceiling, which continued to plink down droplets of cold, brown water into a murky puddle. “I never cease to get compliments on it from my plethora of visitors. But even if you don’t have such a luxury, I’ve been meaning to thank you for refraining from hosting loud, raucous parties and disturbing the peace.”
Harlan grinned, his hair flopping over his forehead. It was nearly long enough to touch his eyelashes. “It wasn’t too great a sacrifice. For all my estate’s benefits, it doesn’t have the best acoustics. Any loud, raucous parties hosted here would sound atrocious.”
